For months, Mali has been embroiled in an escalating political crisis marked by major anti-government associations and failed mediation efforts by regional leaders envious of further instability in the country.
Political tension is raging after the re-election of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in 2018, in a poll that opposition parties said was destroyed by irregularities.
Friction arose earlier this year after a dispute over the results of a parliamentary election prompted tens of thousands to take to the streets to demand Keita’s resignation. The protesters accused Keita of failing to address the difficult economic situation of the country and embarked on a years-long armed campaign by various groups that killed thousands and made large swaths of Mali ungovernable.
The tension culminated on Tuesday then diminishing soldiers Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and other top government officials, maintained a dramatic escalation condemned by regional and international powers.
Here is a timeline of what led to the recent unrest:
Dispute Elections
Op March 26, veteran opposition leader Soumaila Cisse is abducted by unidentified police officer along with six members of his team while campaigning in the country’s conflict-hit center, just days before the long-running parliamentary election.
Just hours before interviews open March 29, the poor country of about 19 million people marks its first death due to the new coronavirus, and raises concerns that it is particularly exposed to a COVID-19 outbreak.
The first round of the parliamentary vote continues despite the threat of coronavirus threats and security for security over possible attacks by armed groups.
The second round, on April 19th, is disturbed by incidents that prevent some voters from casting their ballots.
Op April 30, Mali’s constitutional court overturned the results for 31 seats, Keita’s party handed over 10 more parliamentary seats, making it the largest bloc. The decision of the court sparks protest in several cities.
Calls to dismiss president
Op May 30th, the main opposition parties, such as civil society groups, form a new opposition alliance, called the “June 5 Movement – Rally of Patriotic Forces”.
The alliance calls for a demonstration to demand Keita’s dismissal.
For the most part let through influential Muslim leader Mahmoud Dicko, thousands of people take to the streets of the capital of Mali, Bamako June 5, condemning what they say is the abuse of the president by many crises that plagued the country.
Op June 11, Keita reappointed Boubou Cisse as Prime Minister and tasked him with forming the new government.
But thousands of Protestants gather to demonstrate again June 19, under the umbrella of the June 5 Movement, reiterated its demands for Keita’s departure.
In beginning of July, Keita pushes political reform into a bid to appease opponents, but they are all rejected. The leaders of the protest movement continue to call for the dissolution of parliament and commit civil offenses.
Worse political struggle in years
Op July 10th mass protests become violent.
At least 14 people are being killed in three days of murder clashes between security forces and Protestants, in the worst political battle Mali has seen in years.
Alliance rejects plan by mediators
Op July 18th the opposition alliance rejects a plan proposed by international mediators to abuse tensions.
After several meetings with a delegation from the 15-nation ECOWAS bloc, led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, the June 5 Movement says the president’s departure is a “red line” for the mediators.
Op July 27, ECOWAS calls for the swift establishment of a unity government in Mali, warning of sanctions against those who stand in the way.
The opposition rejects the plan and stresses that the president is coming down.
Keita held on
Op August 10th, Keita swore nine new judges at the Constitutional Court, part of an ECOWAS proposal to resolve the dispute.
Nicolas Haque of Al Jazeera, who has reported extensively on Mali, notes that the new judges were nominated by a Keita ally.
The appointments, Haque said, added “fuel to the fire in this feeling among Protestants that Keita is abusing power by bringing allies close to him.”
After a break, anti-government protests resume August 11th, with protesters ignoring calls from regional mediators to prevent them from driving on the streets.
The next day, on August 12th, Malian security forces fire tear gas and use a water cannon to disperse hundreds of protesters camping on a square in the capital.
The opposition declares on August 17th that it will end daily protests culminating in a massive rally in Bamako at the end of the week.
Op August 18, Keita and Cisse are being held captive by soldiers who earlier in the day erected a wall at a key base in Kati, a garrison town just outside Bamako.
Opposition protesters gathered in a square in Bamako in a show of support for the troops, while regional and international forces urged the troops to return to the barracks and foreign embassies advised their citizens to stay indoors.
After midnight on August 19th, Keita announced his resignation as president of the country.
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